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Main appellations

Pessac-Léognan

Appellation for both red and white wines covering 1360ha within the communes of Pessac, Talence, Léognan, Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Martillac, Saint Médard, Mérignac, and Villenave d’Ornan. Includes all eight Cru Classé châteaux within the Graves region.

Haut-Médoc

This vineyard area lies on slightly higher land than Bas Médoc towards the Gironde estuary. An AC for red wines only, it includes the vineyard area not included in the communal ACs of Listrac, Moulis, and Margaux. The best wines are Cru Bourgeois.

Bordeaux

Generic appellation for reds, rosés and whites (mostly dry) for the whole region. The only AC, along with Bordeaux Supérieur, that can be used for whites and rosés within the southern Médoc. In addition, some reds may on occasions be declassified to this appellation, or of course, if the château owns vineyards outside the Médoc appellation it will use this for the blend.

Bordeaux Supérieur

Covering the same area as the basic Bordeaux AC but with an extra half degree of alcohol and lower yields.

Crémant de Bordeaux

A very small amount of sparkling wine is made under this appellation. The majority of grapes must be from the main Bordeaux varieties and 100% from the Bordeaux AC area. The Traditional Method (bottle fermentation) is used.

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